Recipients

We at The Eric Fund feel privileged to be able to help our incredible “family” of children and adults with disabilities to fulfill their dreams and reach goals often unimaginable. We like to keep up with them and we know you do too – to see what an impact your support can make in their lives and their families.

When Ngozi Tabbs learned more than three years ago that she had multiple sclerosis (MS), the diagnosis was difficult to process. When the stairs in her southern Maryland home became difficult to use and she experienced several falls, Ngozi looked for funding to install a stair lift in her home.

Ammar Walcott is the older of two autistic twins who just celebrated their 18th birthday. His autism primary affects his communication skills resulting in the need for a high level of support to participate in social and functional activities.

Natalie Chirinos is a 15-year-old girl who is blind and has Dandy-Walker Syndrome, a disability that affects muscle coordination. Her Support Coordinator in Prince William County reached out to The Eric Fund to help her apply for a standing walker.

Eight-year-old Emilia is now riding in style in Northern Virginia with a new wheelchair and car seat from The Eric Fund. Emilia, who has cerebral palsy, epilepsy, as well as physical and intellectual disabilities, outgrew her adaptive stroller to the point it was negatively impacting her positioning and posture. Emilia’s parents did not have the financial means to afford the necessary equipment for Emilia and turned to The Eric Fund for help.

The Eric Fund purchased for Carolena an Orcam MyEye, a special camera device that mounts on glasses and acts as a visual aid for people with low vision. The MyEye’s facial recognition software can be programmed to recognize a number of people. When the camera sees a familiar face, it will speak the person’s identity into an earpiece Carolena wears

When Alana was born she was diagnosed with Opercular Syndrome (also known as Foix-Chavany Marie Syndrome), a paralysis of the facial and laryngeal muscles (among others). As a result of this condition, Alana is unable to speak verbally. The Eric Fund awarded Alana with an iPad, that she will use as a communication device both at home and at school so that she can better interact and communicate with her family, friends and classmates.

James was nominated for The Eric Fund grant by his speech-language pathologist, who believed that the Accent 1000 – an augmentative communication device manufactured by the Prentke Romich Company – used with the LAMP Words for Life language system would help reduce James’s frustration and support additional language learning. Using the app with the Accent 1000 would give James a way to communicate in all settings throughout his day, improve his social connections, learning opportunities, and ability to express his wants and needs.

Max attends a public school where he receives both regular and dedicated classroom instruction. He has been learning Braille and making great strides. The Eric Fund provided Max with a Refreshabraille 18 and an iPad to enhance his learning

The Eric Fund awarded Joshua a device called a Smart flux Digital CCTV Hand Magnifier that magnifies text and makes it easier for Josh to see and read. Improved vision will lead to improved comprehension, which will result in Josh being able to perform more efficiently and independently at work.

In order to maximize her potential as she grows, Heidi will require more and more consistent access to age-appropriate assistive technology. The Eric Fund is happy to get her started down that path by providing the Geiger family with a variety of adaptive toys, switches and a “sensory wall” that will benefit Heidi at this vital early stage of her development.

It was determined Elliott engaged well with speech generating devices and cause/effect switches to explore his environment. The Eric Fund provided colorful toys and adaptive switches to help him learn to communicate and interact with is family.

Alex will use his new iPad in school to learn new design programs and improve his computer skills. The iPad will help him communicate and the Edmark Software II that The Eric Fund is providing will help him improve his reading.

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The Eric Fund website is produced by The Eric C. Savader Memorial Disabilities Fund (d/b/a The Eric Fund), a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to assisting persons with disabilities in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area to lead more independent lives.